Dianthus plant named &#39;WP11 TYR04&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dianthus  plant named ‘WP11 TYR04’ which is characterized by a compact mounding habit, blue-green foliage, fragrant single flowers that are strongly patterned cherry red with white-pink markings and a deep cherry eye, and ruffled petal edges. In combination, these characteristics set ‘WP11 TYR04’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dianthus  known to the inventor.

GENUS

Dianthus

SPECIES

×hybrida

DENOMINATION

‘WP11 TYR04’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f)of the earlier application for European Community Plant Variety Rightswhich was filed for the instant plant variety on Feb. 3, 2012,Application Number 2012/0271.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of hardygarden pink, that is grown for use as a flowering plant for pots andcontainers and for planting in the garden and landscape. The newcultivar is known botanically as Dianthus×hybrida and will be referredto hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘WP11 TYR04’.

‘WP11 TYR04’ is a complex hybrid plant that is the product of a longterm breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area ofHoundspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. The inventor selected‘WP11TYR04’ in 2004 for its strongly patterned cherry red, white andpink single flowers with a deep cherry eye, ruffled petal edges,moderate fragrance and blue-green foliage.

‘WP11 TYR04’ arose and was selected as a seedling which resulted fromthe open pollination of an existing selection of Dianthus from theinventor's breeding program, namely Dianthus code name ‘Zora’(unpatented and unreleased) as the female parent plant, by an unknownselection from the breeding program as male parent plant. The maleparent was growing within the inventor's stock of breeding lines.

‘WP11 TYR04’ is distinguishable from the female parent as follows:Whereas the flower of ‘WP11 TYR04’is single and strongly patternedcherry red, white and pink with a deep cherry eye, the flower of ‘Zora’is semi-double and shell pink in color. The flowers of ‘Zora’ aresmaller than the flowers of ‘WP11 TYR04’. In addition, the foliage ofthe ‘Zora’ is green in color, whereas the foliage of ‘WP11 TYR04’ isblue-green in color.

The identity of the male parent is unknown and therefore a comparison isnot possible.

The variety of Dianthus which is considered by the inventor to mostclosely resemble ‘WP11 TYR04’ is the inventor's variety Dianthus‘Starburst’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,162). The flowers of ‘Starburst’have a similar blotching pattern on their petals, but the patterns andcolors are different. ‘WP11 TYR04’ has a radiating pattern of white-pinkon a background of cherry red with pronounced white stamens. ‘Starburst’has a more subdued pattern of pink-white on a background of cherry redwith distinctive pointed petals and the stamens are covered by thepetals. Additionally the flowers of ‘Starburst’ are semi to fullydouble, while ‘WP11 TYR04’ bears single blooms with ruffled petal edges.

Asexual reproduction of ‘WP11 TYR04’ was first accomplished by theinventor in 2004 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, United Kingdom. Themethod of asexual propagation used was vegetative cuttings. The inventorhas determined that ‘WP11 TYR04’ is stable and reproduces true to typein successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new Dianthus cultivar ‘WP11 TYR04’. These traitsin combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercialvarieties known to the inventor. ‘WP11 TYR04’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

1. ‘WP11 TYR04’ exhibits a compact mounding habit.

2. ‘WP11 TYR04’ bears single flowers that are cherry red with white-pinkmarkings and a deep cherry eye.

3. ‘WP11 TYR04’ exhibits petals that are deeply ruffled.

4. ‘WP11 TYR04’ blooms from Mid-April through October.

5. The flowers of ‘WP11 TYR04’ are moderately fragrant

6. ‘WP11 TYR04’ exhibits glaucous, blue-green foliage.

7. At maturity, the height of the foliage mound of ‘WP11 TYR04’ is 20cm, and the width is 22 cm.

8. ‘WP11 TYR04’ is perennial and is hardy at least to −15° C.

9. ‘WP11 TYR04’ is suitable for use as a flowering plant in pots andcontainers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dianthus variety ‘WP11 TYR04’ showing colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘WP11 TYR04’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an entire flowering plant of ‘WP11TYR04’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower of‘WP11 TYR04’.

All drawings were made from 9 months old plants which have been grown in1.5-litre containers in a cold glasshouse in Devon, United Kingdom. Nochemicals were used to treat the plants. All drawings were made usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possibleby conventional photography.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘WP11TYR04’. Data was collected from plants grown in 1.5-litre containersunder an unheated glasshouse in Houndspool, United Kingdom in July. Thecolor determinations are in accordance with the 2001 edition of theRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of The Royal HorticulturalSociety, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. No chemicals were used to treat theplants. Growing conditions are typical to other Dianthus.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus ‘WP11 TYR04’.-   Species: ×hybrida L.-   Common name: Garden pink.-   Commercial classification: Dianthus hybrid.-   Type: Perennial.-   Use: Used as a flowering plant for pots, containers and planting in    the garden or landscape.-   Parentage: ‘WP11 TYR04’ is a complex hybrid plant that resulted from    the open pollination of Dianthus seedlings.    -   -   Female parent plant.—Dianthus ‘Zora’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent plant.—Unknown.-   Plant description:    -   -   Bloom period.—Mid-April to October.        -   Plant habit.—Compact mounding habit.        -   Plant height.—20 cm in overall height, including flower            canopy.        -   Plant width.—22 cm in width.        -   Plant hardiness.—Hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.        -   Root system.—Fine fibrous roots.        -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative            stem cuttings.        -   Cultural requirements.—Plant in full sun, well-drained and            moderately fertile soil and keep well fertilized and            watered.        -   Diseases and pests.—No particular resistance or            susceptibility to known Dianthus pests and diseases are            known to the inventor.        -   Time to root cuttings.—10-14 days are required to produce            roots on a vegetative cutting at the recommended            temperatures.        -   Recommended temperature for rooting.—A minimum of 15° C. air            temperature and 21° C. base temperature at root level is            required to produce roots on the cuttings.        -   Facilities for rooting.—Mist propagation unit is required            for satisfactory rooting of cuttings.        -   Crop time (from planting a rooted cutting).—3 months            starting in the Spring and 6 months starting in the Fall.        -   Plant stem.—Shape: Cylindrical. Stem dimension: 6 cm in            length and 2 mm in diameter. Stem surface: Glabrous and            glaucous. Stem color: 145C. Branching: Numerous shoots from            the axils of the lower leaves.        -   Leaf.—Type: Evergreen. Shape: Linear, straight. Division:            Simple. Apex: Acute. Base: Decurrent. Venation: Not            prominent. Margins: Entire. Attachment: Sheathing.            Arrangement: Opposite and spiraling up stem. Surfaces            (adaxial and abaxial): Glaucous. Stipules: Absent.            Fragrance: Absent. Leaf dimensions: 4 to 5 cm in length and            4 mm in width. Leaf color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces):            Ranges from 189A to 189B.        -   Flower stem.—Shape: Cylindrical. Dimensions: 13 cm in length            (from top of the flower to lower of the 3rd internode), 1.5            mm in width. Color: 188A. Surface: Glabrous and glaucous.            Strength: Stiff.        -   Pedicel.—Shape: Cylindrical. Dimensions (including calyx):            25 mm in length and 35 mm in diameter. Color: 188A. Surface:            Glabrous and glaucous. Strength: Stiff.        -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence type: Cymose. Number of flowers            per stem: 1-4. Flower type: Salviform and symmetrical.            Flower shape: Circular. Flower profile: Reflexed.            Lastingness: 10 days at 20° C., on the plant. Fragrance:            Moderate, floral. Flowering period: Mid-April to October in            Devon, UK. Bud (when first cracking color): Shape:            Cylindrical. Dimensions: 18 mm in length and 5 mm in width.            Color: N138C and N138D towards apex, 139D towards base.            Anthocyanin: Absent. Corolla: Profile: Flat. Petal            arrangement: Persistent, apopetalous, and slightly            overlapping. Petal margin: Crenate-dentate. Indentations:            Depth varies between 1 mm and 3 mm. Petal texture: Soft.            Flower type: Single. Petal number: 5. Dimensions: 38 mm in            length, 20 mm in width. Petal shape: Obdeltoid consisting of            rounded blade and tapering strap. Petal surface: Smooth,            except base lightly pubescent. Petal apex: Rounded. Petal            base: Truncate, petal tapers towards base. Petal color            pattern: Symmetrical picotee; pairs of light pink “blotches”            within dark magenta background. Color of adaxial surface            (petal newly-opened): Blade ground: Ranges between 59A and            61A. Blade blotches: 73A. Strap: Ranges between 145C and            145D. Color of abaxial surface (petal newly-opened): Blade:            White but translucent such that colors of adaxial surface            are visible. Strap: Ranges between 145C and 145D.        -   Calyx.—Calyx shape: Cylindrical Calyx dimensions: 19 mm in            depth and 5 mm in diameter. Number of sepals: 5, fused to 3            mm below apex. Sepal apex: Acuminate Sepal base: Cuneate            Sepal dimensions: 19 mm in length and 4 mm in width. Color            of sepals, adaxial surface: 137B and 137C, fading to 144A at            base. Color of sepals, abaxial surface: 145B. Anthocyanin:            Present at apex and occasionally on sepal base. Splitting:            Not observed.        -   Epicalyx.—Bracts: 1 pair of 2. Bracts shape: Acuminate.            Bracts dimensions: 10 mm in length and 5 mm in width. Bracts            color: Range between 133A and 133C. Anthocyanin: Absent.        -   Bracteoles.—Number: 1 pair of 2. Dimensions: 10 mm in length            and 8 mm in width. Shape: Acute. Color: Range between 133A            and 133C. Anthocyanin: Absent.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Number: 10. Dimensions: 25 mm            length and 0.5 mm diameter.        -   Color of filaments.—White.        -   Anther number.—10.        -   Anther dimensions.—1 mm length and 0.5 mm in diameter.        -   Color of anthers.—76A.        -   Anther attachment.—Dorsifixed.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Style number.—2.        -   Style color.—White.        -   Style dimensions (including stigma).—25 mm in length and 1            mm in diameter.        -   Stigma dimensions.—10 mm in length, bifid, reflexed.        -   Stigma color.—71A.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary dimensions.—7-8 mm in length and 3-4 mm in diameter.        -   Ovary shape.—Spindle.        -   Ovary color.—145B and 145C.-   Seed:    -   -   Number.—50-100.        -   Dimensions.—3 mm in length and 2 mm in width.        -   Color.—202A.        -   Shape.—Oval and flattened.        -   Surface.—Crinkled.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘WP11 TYR04’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.